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Cops: Intoxicated driver kills 2 in N.E. Philly crash

Updated:November 13, 2012 — 5:23 AM EST

A man believed to be drunk or high on drugs ran a red light in Northeast Philadelphia shortly after midnight and plowed his GMC Denali into a Honda Accord, killing two people inside the car, according to Philadelphia Police.

The driver was arrested for driving under the influence. But Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters at the scene that the driver appeared to be "impaired" and that a syringe, pills and other narcotics were found, “in his possession.”

The Accident Investigation District gave this account:

The driver, 33, of Philadelphia, was traveling east in his Denali on St. Vincent Street about 12:20 a.m. today in the Castor neighborhood. He disregarded a red light, striking the Honda Accord, which was traveling south on Bustleton Avenue.

The Accord was crushed and pushed into the northbound lane, where it was struck by a Jeep.

The people in the Accord, described as of Asian descent, were killed. Police identified the driver of the Accord as Liang Pan, a male, of Philadelphia. But police have not yet released the identity of the second victim.

The Jeep's driver received minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

The driver of the Denali was not hurt. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI and is in custody awaiting formal charges.